Although media coverage often portrays young people in urban areas as politically apathetic or disruptive, this book provides an antidote to such views through narratives of dedicated youth civic engagement and leadership in Chicago, Mexico City, and Rio de Janeiro. This innovative comparative study provides nuanced accounts of the personal experiences of young people who care deeply about their communities and are actively engaged in a variety of public issues. Examining the role--or absence--of youth in contemporary public and political discourse, the authors investigate what motivates young people in these cities, which forces influence them, and what their actions reveal about democratic practices in cities in the Americas today. Drawing from extensive interviews and personal narratives from the young activists themselves, Citizens in the Present presents a vibrant portrait of a new, politically involved generation.

"Investigating the experience of young activists, their motivations, and the forms of their engagement, this innovative book presents a refreshingly optimistic picture of dedicated and engaged young people."--Anne B. Smith, coeditor of Advocating for Children: International Perspectives on Children's Rights